Executive producers Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie unveiled the official video for “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” as part of NBC’s broadcast of the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday.
Featuring more than 70 performers, including Celine Dion, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus, the remake marks the 25th anniversary of the original 1985 tune penned by Richie and Michael Jackson. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the new version of the song, with select new lyrics by Richie and Will.I.Am, will be donated to benefit Haitian earthquake relief efforts through the We Are the World Foundation.
Oscar-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) directed the music video, which features Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Michael and Janet Jackson dueting on Michael’s original part, Barbra Streisand and Lil Wayne delivering a very different take on the part made famous by Bob Dylan in the original.
The video is now available for purchase on iTunes, along with the single. Starting this weekend, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner and Bright House Networks cable customers will also be able to purchase the video via Video on Demand. The video will be available on demand through March 14 and 100 percent of the $2.99 price will go to the foundation.
